Ezekiel 1: 1 - 2: 1

Ezekiel

The Vision of the Chariot

1In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
2On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin),
3the word of the Lord came to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was on him there.

4 As I looked, a stormy wind came out of the north: a great cloud with brightness around it and fire flashing forth continually, and in the middle of the fire, something like gleaming amber.
5In the middle of it was something like four living creatures. This was their appearance: they were of human form.
6Each had four faces, and each of them had four wings.
7Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calfs foot; and they sparkled like burnished bronze.
8Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus:
9their wings touched one another; each of them moved straight ahead, without turning as they moved.
10As for the appearance of their faces: the four had the face of a human being, the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and the face of an eagle;
11such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies.
12Each moved straight ahead; wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went.
13In the middle of* the living creatures there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches moving to and fro among the living creatures; the fire was bright, and lightning issued from the fire.
14The living creatures darted to and fro, like a flash of lightning.

15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them.*16As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl; and the four had the same form, their construction being something like a wheel within a wheel.
17When they moved, they moved in any of the four directions without veering as they moved.
18Their rims were tall and awesome, for the rims of all four were full of eyes all round.
19When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose.
20Wherever the spirit would go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
21When they moved, the others moved; when they stopped, the others stopped; and when they rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

22 Over the heads of the living creatures there was something like a dome, shining like crystal,* spread out above their heads.
23Under the dome their wings were stretched out straight, one towards another; and each of the creatures had two wings covering its body.
24When they moved, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of mighty waters, like the thunder of the Almighty,* a sound of tumult like the sound of an army; when they stopped, they let down their wings.
25And there came a voice from above the dome over their heads; when they stopped, they let down their wings.

26 And above the dome over their heads there was something like a throne, in appearance like sapphire;* and seated above the likeness of a throne was something that seemed like a human form.
27Upwards from what appeared like the loins I saw something like gleaming amber, something that looked like fire enclosed all round; and downwards from what looked like the loins I saw something that looked like fire, and there was a splendour all round.
28Like the bow in a cloud on a rainy day, such was the appearance of the splendour all round. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.

When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of someone speaking.

The Vision of the Scroll

2He said to me: O mortal,* stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you.

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Acts 10: 23b-33

The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers* from Joppa accompanied him.
24The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
25On Peters arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshipped him.
26But Peter made him get up, saying, Stand up; I am only a mortal.
27And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled;
28and he said to them, You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.
29So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?

30 Cornelius replied, Four days ago at this very hour, at three oclock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me.
31He said, Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.
32Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.
33Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.

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11 False witnesses rose up against me;  they charged me with things I knew not.12 They rewarded me evil for good,  to the desolation of my soul.13 But as for me, when they were sick I put on sackcloth  and humbled myself with fasting;14 When my prayer returned empty to my bosom,  it was as though I grieved for my friend or brother;15 I behaved as one who mourns for his mother,  bowed down and brought very low.16 But when I stumbled, they gathered in delight; they gathered together against me;  as if they were strangers I did not know they tore at me without ceasing.17 When I fell they mocked me;  they gnashed at me with their teeth.18 O Lord, how long will you look on?  Rescue my soul from their ravages, and my poor life from the young lions.19 I will give you thanks in the great congregation;  I will praise you in the mighty throng.20 Do not let my treacherous foes rejoice over me,  or those who hate me without a cause mock me with their glances.21 For they do not speak of peace,  but invent deceitful schemes against those that are quiet in the land.22 They opened wide their mouths and derided me, saying  We have seen it with our very eyes.23 This you have seen, O Lord; do not keep silent;  go not far from me, O Lord.24 Awake, arise, to my cause,  to my defence, my God and my Lord!25 Give me justice, O Lord my God, according to your righteousness;  let them not triumph over me.26 Let them not say to themselves, Our hearts desire!  Let them not say, We have swallowed him up.27 Let all who rejoice at my trouble be put to shame and confusion;  let those who boast against me be clothed with shame and dishonour.28 Let those who favour my cause rejoice and be glad;  let them say always, Great is the Lord, who delights in his servants well-being.